Vacancies at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking to employ a suitable and qualified candidate for the position below:

Job Title: Senior Project Management Specialist (Integrated Health) 

Solicitation No.: 72062019R10012
Location: Abuja, Nigeria with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Work.
Period of Performance: Five (5) years renewable
Security Level Required: Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU)

Basic Function of the Position

• The USAID Senior Project Management Specialist (Integrated Health Program) reports to the USPSC Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) Team Lead in the office of Health, Population, and Nutrition.
• S/he is responsible for the overall management of the flagship Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) project that incorporates all activities in family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH); maternal, newborn, and child health; and nutrition (MNCH/N) and malaria into Health, Population, and Nutrition (HPN)’s bilateral management unit and also provides guidance on the integration of HPN strategies.
• The job holder is required to supervise one CCN/PSC staff – Project Management Specialist (Integrated Health Program). S/he is expected to perform work-related travel.

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Program/Project Management – 60%:

• Responsible for the overall management of the technical and management of activities within the flagship Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) project that incorporates all activities in family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH); maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCH/N) and malaria.
• Serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative /Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) with management responsibility for a diverse portfolio supporting evidencebased, high-impact, cost effective interventions for the improvement of, but not limited to: prevention and treatment of diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria; strengthening routine immunization and introducing new life saving vaccines; improving emergency obstetrical and new-born care, family planning and reproductive health.
• Participates in proposal reviews, interview committees, annual report preparation and other Mission-wide data gathering activities; facilitates the development of implementing partner work plans, approves the performance management plans and coordinates the preparation of the implementing partner portfolio reviews.
• Ensures that project annual work plans are completed on time and implemented in a timely fashion, including management reviews, project progress reports and financial expenditures.
• Conducts site visits to keep abreast of health activities; and coordinates consultants related to FP/RH and MNCH/N activities.
• Provides guidance on the integration of HPN strategies, drafts program documents to secure funding and manages the relationships between USAID, the implementing partner, as well as key technical assistance in the implementation of FP/RH, MNCH and Malaria activities in three of the focus states and provides overall oversight in an additional two states for a total of five states.
• Applies critical knowledge to improving the effectiveness of USAID health activities, with particular relevance to the Nigerian context in which health and medical services are being provided. The incumbent facilitates communication and ensures collaborative working relationships with high-level decision makers, as well as technical staff, in the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministries of Health, other government entities, and nongovernmental organizations working in the areas of health.
• Develops and delivers presentations, reference materials, and speeches, as necessary, on the overall health program for informational, advocacy and coordination purposes.
• Provides guidance on new program initiatives, drafts program documents to secure funding and implement activities, and manages the relationships between USAID and implementing partners;
• Provides oversight to ensure that activities achieve the expected results, are linked to and enhance attainment of strategic objectives, are aligned with Government of Nigeria (GoN) priorities, and are implemented within the framework of the USG foreign assistance policies; and
• Closely coordinates, collaborates, aligns and integrates activities with HPN staff working to improve other components of the portfolio, including malaria, family planning, nutrition, health systems strengthening, health seeking behaviour, commodity supply and logistics, and quality improvementto ensure synergies and effective management of health activities.

Technical Advocacy and Leadership – 40%:

• The incumbent works to ensure technical and programmatic synergy within USAID/Nigeria supported activities, and with GoN and other development partners by facilitating the exchange of technical information, and identifying and fostering opportunities for partnership on technical and programmatic activities through the following responsibilities:
  • Serves as a Mission point of contact for matters related to capacity building, activity integration, multi-sectoral inclusion and sustainability for MNCH/N activities.
  • Serves as a widely recognized expert in health programs and as a key advisor to Mission management, the USG Mission in Nigeria, and the Government of Nigeria on MNCH/N interventions.
  • Develops policies and guidelines on multi-sectoral inclusion and coordinates technical priorities from other areas of health and related sectors, including HIV, education, governance, agriculture and economic strengthening activities.
  • Participates as a USAID representative in national-level technical, programmatic, and policy meetings, and in consultations with government officials, and IPs.
  • Participates in relevant Mission, donor and GoN working groups, providing technical advice and guidance, and advising on projects supporting sustainability and a multisectoral approach.
  • Advocates for an integrated program and for funding required achieving the desired outcomes within the HPN results framework.
  • Ensures that USAID programs contribute to relevant USG plans and goals.
  • Provides technical and programmatic support, including developing presentations and talking points, and serves as a site officer for high-level delegations, other visitors, and overall USG and USAID Mission needs.
  • Maintains responsibility for supporting the Team, other technical offices, the Agency and USG Mission in developing strategic and technical plans.  S/he responds to reporting requirements and requests from within the Mission, from USAID/Washington, and others, as needed.
  • Supervises the Project Management Specialist (Integrated Health Program), including providing regular input regarding performance and ensuring productivity.
• The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the “Foreign Service National” Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Supervisory Relationship:

• The incumbent reports to the USPSC Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health       Nutrition Team Lead and applies a highly technical body of knowledge to complex and sensitive programs in Nigeria. Performance will be evaluated based on accomplishments

Supervisory Controls:

• The incumbent will be responsible for the supervision of one CCN/PSC staff USAID Project Management Specialist (Integrated Health Program).

Area of Consideration:

• Offerors must be Nigerian citizens.

Physical Demands:

• The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

Minimum Qualifications Required for this Position 
Education:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, Nursing & Midwifery, Medicine, Development Studies, Demography and Social Studies, Business Administration, Government and Public Administration, Public Administration, Social Work/Community Development or Sociology.

Prior Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven to ten years progressively responsible, professional-level experience in public health programming and health delivery with emphasis on FP/RH/MNCH is required.
• At least 7of those years should be related to the design, implementation, and/or monitoring and evaluation of reproductive, maternal, newborn child health, nutrition programs, bi-lateral or multi-lateral organization, and/or NonGovernmental Organization (NGO).

Post Entry Training:

• Familiarization training in USAID-specific procedures, regulations, and methods, etc., will be provided.
• On-the-job training regarding USAID and USG health program policies, procedures, and regulations, including the Automated Directives Systems (ADS), Mission Orders, and other planning and reporting databases will be provided. USAID Program Management, Financial Management Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), and AOR/COR Training (as well as any prerequisite training) is subject to the availability of funds.

Language Proficiency:

• Level IV English (high proficiency in verbal and written expression) is required.

Job Knowledge:

• State-of-the art, expert knowledge of technical and programmatic approaches in public health, RH/FP, MCHN and malaria integration program management strategies, is desired.
• Familiarity with the broad range of FP/RH/MNCH/N, malaria and gender issues that affect Nigeria and/or developing countries in general.
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the major issues affecting primary health care in all geographical regions of Nigeria, preferably with an in-depth knowledge of the implementation of health programming in Nigeria’s northern states.
• A demonstrated knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques, and practices of Nigerian Primary Health Care Service.
• Demonstrated understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, organizations, foundations and private sector organizations that support FP/RH/MNCH/N and malaria.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to absorb, understand and apply highly complex information within a specialist discipline or managing significant operations.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate data and prepare reports and be capable of producing high quality work, often under time pressure and in complex situations.
• Excellent organizational and management skills, strong analytical skills and in-depth understanding of the technical, political, economic and cultural characteristics of Nigeria as they relate to the implementation of public health programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, good social and professional judgment, and the ability to function effectively in cross-cultural and multi-level settings.  S/he must be able to interact effectively with mid- and senior-level government officials and to maintain collaborative relationships within a team structure, in addition to effectively working individually.  S/he must be able to effectively lead, facilitate and participate in discussions and meetings.
• Demonstrated skills in decision-making and overseeing the implementation of FP/RH/MNCH/N and malaria activities in Nigeria.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and facilitation skills.
• Computer and word processing skills are essential including knowledge of spreadsheet development, graphics applications and statistical analyses packages.
• Ability to travel outside of Abuja to conduct site visits and visit host government or IPs’ offices, up to 15% of the time.

Evaluation and Selection Factors

• After the closing date for receipt of applications, all applications will initially be screened for adherence to application instructions and conformity with minimum qualifications expressed in Section II, and a short list of applicants will be developed.
• Following this initial review and short listing, a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will be convened to review eligible applications and evaluate them in accordance with the evaluation factors.  Applications from candidates which do not meet the minimum requirements will not be scored. Those applications from qualified offerors meeting the required minimum qualifications will be assessed based on the following selection/evaluation factors:
  • Education (10 points)
  • Prior Work Experience (20 points)
  • Language Proficiency (10 points)
  • Job Knowledge (30 points)
  • Skills and abilities (30 points)

Market Value
N15,759,669.00 – N23,547,435.00 equivalent to FSN-12; 40 Hours per week. In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of United States Mission, Nigeria (Effective July 8, 2018).  Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

Benefits/Allowances
As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances:

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Annual Salary Increase (if applicable)
• Annual and Sick leave d. Annual Bonus

Allowances (as applicable):

• Transportation Allowance
• Meal Allowance
• Miscellaneous Allowance
• Housing Allowance

Taxes:

• The Mission emphasize to its employees of the fact that they are obliged to observe Nigerian Laws, including those concerning income and related tax obligations.  Payment of such taxes is a matter between the individual employee and the Nigerian Government.
• In the absence of a specific international agreement, the U.S. Government will not withhold local taxes from an employee’s salary.

Deadline:16th August, 2019.

• Application for US Federal Employment (DS – 174) ; or a current Resume or Curriculum Vitae that provides the same information as a DS – 174;
• Any documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. transcripts, degrees, NYSC certificate/exemption etc.).
• A type-written and signed application letter specifically applying for this position, and addressing the minimum requirements as advertised. Email subject line must reference the job title and solicitation number for consideration. Please reference the job title and announcement number on the application letter.
• Limit all electronic (e-mail) submission to one entry/email not larger than 5MB. Please submit attachments in PDF and Word formats, not pictures. E-mails received without the appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Submit Applications package to: abujahr@usaid.gov

Click here to download the Position Descriptions (PDF)

Click here to download Application Form for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174) (PDF 1.78 MB)

Click here to download the Instructions for Completing DS-174 (PDF 2.40 MB)

List of Required Forms for PSC Hires
Once the CO informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, the CO will provide the successful Offeror instructions about how to complete and submit the following forms:

• Medical History and Examination Form (Department of State Forms)
• RSO Security Questionnaire
• BI Guide Questionnaire
• THOR Enrollment Intake Form

Total Possible Points: 100 points:

• Applications determined to be competitively ranked may be further evaluated based on interview performance, written assessments and/or satisfactory professional reference checks.
• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.
• Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalist.

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN/TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

• USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf
• Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at: https://www.usaid.gov/formsAcquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at: http://www.usaid.gov/workusaid/aapds-cibs
• [The CO must check http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs to determine which AAPDs/CIBs apply and insert the relevant text as required.]
• Ethical Conduct.  By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635.  See: https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations

Note

• USAID reserves the right to interview only the highest ranked applicants in person or by phone OR not to interview any candidate.
• Reference checks will be made only for offerors considered as finalist.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. No response will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.